Power Of Attorney Worksheet (Page 4 of 4) in pdf

UNDERSTANDING YOUR POWER OF ATTORNEY

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a document which allows you to give another person the authority to perform acts on

your behalf. That person is called your “agent”. You are legally bound by any acts of this agent if those acts are

authorized in the Power of Attorney, so you must exercise caution to make sure that your agent is someone you

trust.

A General Power of Attorney (GPOA), while sometimes helpful, can also be dangerous. A GPOA gives someone

else the legal authority to do almost anything that you could do, and the potential for abuse by one’s agent is very

high. For example, with a GPOA, your agent can possibly sell your car, borrow money that you must repay, rent or

purchase property in your name and with your money, or remove ALL funds from your bank account.

A Special Power of Attorney (SPOA), is more limited and gives someone else the legal authority to perform

specific tasks on your behalf, such as registering your car or selling specifically listed property.

**IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE GRANTING SOMEONE A POA**



Always limit the power you give away to only that necessary to accomplish your needs. If you only need

someone to perform specific tasks (e.g. enter into a lease agreement on your behalf), it is highly recommended

that you get a Special Power of Attorney (SPOA) for only the specific tasks needed.



Powers of Attorney drafted by Navy legal assistance offices are limited in duration to no longer than one year

and should only be drafted for the amount of time needed.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR POA**

 No individual or business/organization is ever legally required to accept a Power of Attorney (even a military

Power of Attorney), regardless of the legality or validity of the Power of Attorney.

 In some cases, certain businesses (banks and other financial institutions) will only accept a Special Power of

Attorney to fulfill specific standards and requirements. Many institutions have their own Power of Attorney form,

so it is crucial that you make sure in advance that your POA meets the specific standards of the individuals

and/or businesses with which your agent will do business.

 Your appointee or agent MUST have the ORIGINAL Power of Attorney; you should keep a copy for your

records.

**REVOCATION/CANCELLATION OF YOUR POA**

 If you want to revoke, cancel, or terminate a Power of Attorney before it expires, you must sign and notarize a

Revocation of Power of Attorney and provide a copy to any person you believe has dealt with or will possibly

deal with your agent. Because it is difficult, if not impossible, to provide a copy of the revocation to every

possible third party who has relied upon or might rely upon the previously granted POA, the difficulty of

revocation is one of the inherent dangers in granting a POA.

 In addition to providing a copy of the revocation to all foreseeable parties with whom your agent has dealt, the

following steps are also recommended for your protection:

•

Sending a true copy of the revocation to the original agent and using a delivery method that provides a

receipt showing proof that the agent received your revocation (e.g. certified mail with return receipt

requested).

•

Recording a revocation in the counties in which the POA was executed, in which your agent resides, and in

which the POA may be used;

•

Publishing notice in the newspapers in the same counties as above where you have revoked your POA.

I acknowledge that I have read the above information. Please prepare the requested legal document(s) for

me using the information provided on the Power of Attorney request form.

Customer’s printed name

Customer’s signature

Today’s date

Revised Sep 2014

OJAG Code 16

Mandatory Use

Power Of Attorney Worksheet Page 4

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